ATLUS announces the North American release of Game of Thrones, the RPG based on the A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels (apparently Game of Thrones: The Game was just a working title, awesome as it is). Here's the news:

ATLUS, a brand of Index Digital Media, Inc., today announced that "Game of Thrones™," the RPG based on the internationally bestselling book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin and the critically acclaimed HBO® television series, Game of Thrones®, is now available in stores across North America for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and PC via download.

Replete with the authentic political intrigue and complex narrative the acclaimed fantasy series is known for, this captivating interactive adventure gives fans a new and exciting way to lose themselves in the world of Westeros. With an original story written under the watchful eye of George R. R. Martin, who recently stated, "I've sampled the work Cyanide has done, and I'm largely happy with it. I think many of my fans will share that feeling," the "Game of Thrones" RPG is filled with characters and locations straight from the pages of the beloved fantasy novels. Moreover, the game includes the likenesses of fan favorite characters from the television adaptation. "Game of Thrones" promises to deliver the ultimate interactive roleplaying experience for fans of the series and its gritty, sophisticated medieval drama.

Dalesix wrote on May 15, 2012, 23:09:What an amazing game, Im so glad I was one of the lucky few who got a closed beta version at goo.gl/5jHXe I really enjoyed playing this new version. I also own a Genesis copy, and I can tell you that you wont be disappointed with this new version if you are a fan of the first one as I am.

I hope no one tells Geroger R.R. Martin that spambots are marketing his 'fail' game. Im pretty sure no one told him that its being released on the same day as Diablo3.

The "what you'll like" section basically tells me everything about the game I need to know. I will put up with mostly broken gameplay for a good story that fits well with the novels. Won't pay full price for it, but will pick it up at some point.

Still a shame to see a good license used so badly as it has been in these 2 games.

Creston wrote on May 15, 2012, 14:59:An RPG, about a book that's full of talking and machinations and little action, being bad? Whodathunkit?

I was going to disagree, but I was thinking that was the perfect recipe for a good table-top RPG Game. Not so much for a video game until someone comes up with a game engine that can fully integrate the customization, free form conversation and control ones gets from rolling dice with a group of friends.

And even then it'd require a DM who's awesome at creating all that intrigue and political chicanery, and a group of players who like to go around and make deals and backstab one another. A group like that would often start playing solo sessions so they aren't all sitting around listening to each other create plans to fuck over the other players.

Creston

Ha. Been there. Done that. Doesn't end well, but makes for great stories afterwards.

I wouldn't mind playging it out as a story so long as there was stuff I could actually fail and I could see the results of my actions as in Fallout. I'm actually much more interested in this for the story than the combat.

“That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!”

Creston wrote on May 15, 2012, 14:59:An RPG, about a book that's full of talking and machinations and little action, being bad? Whodathunkit?

I was going to disagree, but I was thinking that was the perfect recipe for a good table-top RPG Game. Not so much for a video game until someone comes up with a game engine that can fully integrate the customization, free form conversation and control ones gets from rolling dice with a group of friends.

And even then it'd require a DM who's awesome at creating all that intrigue and political chicanery, and a group of players who like to go around and make deals and backstab one another. A group like that would often start playing solo sessions so they aren't all sitting around listening to each other create plans to fuck over the other players.

Creston

Ha. Been there. Done that. Doesn't end well, but makes for great stories afterwards.

Creston wrote on May 15, 2012, 14:59:An RPG, about a book that's full of talking and machinations and little action, being bad? Whodathunkit?

I was going to disagree, but I was thinking that was the perfect recipe for a good table-top RPG Game. Not so much for a video game until someone comes up with a game engine that can fully integrate the customization, free form conversation and control ones gets from rolling dice with a group of friends.

And even then it'd require a DM who's awesome at creating all that intrigue and political chicanery, and a group of players who like to go around and make deals and backstab one another. A group like that would often start playing solo sessions so they aren't all sitting around listening to each other create plans to fuck over the other players.

Creston wrote on May 15, 2012, 14:59:An RPG, about a book that's full of talking and machinations and little action, being bad? Whodathunkit?

I was going to disagree, but I was thinking that was the perfect recipe for a good table-top RPG Game. Not so much for a video game until someone comes up with a game engine that can fully integrate the customization, free form conversation and control ones gets from rolling dice with a group of friends.

Reading through that review, it seems like what is harped on is the lack of hand holding for quest guidance and inventory purchases (ie just a lack of modern conveniences)? The combat knock sounds reminiscent of how Neverwinter Nights/Dragon Age play out for combat... so hopefully there's a PC demo to give it a try. Sounds like it'll be a love/hate it reaction depending on how much convenience you expect in an rpg these days.

Definitely waiting for a Steam sale and some forum reviews before really giving it a go as 50 is way out of line for it from the sounds of it (15-20 hours of play for an RPG? And doesn't sound like too much replay value either)

Yeah, seeing as I'm not buying D3 or MP3 I'd be buying this...if it was $20. I can't imagine it's even close to worth $50. I have a strong suspicion that it's a very short game too. No reviews on metacritic either doesn't seem to bode well. I've found one short one so far that called it ugly and mediocre. So yeah, it's the bargain bin for this one.

“That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!”

Perhaps just same logic is used as movie releases when you have certain titles put out against franchises they fully expect to lose against? Or they don't believe there is much overlap in the D3 demographic vs the console Max Payne demographic?

Personally, if GoT was available on Steam today (and not listed at 50 bucks) - that'd be the one I'd purchase. D3 gets a resounding meh, and I've never played the Payne franchise.